“We are being left behind”: Visually Impaired People in Japan Struggle with Digitalization [Podcast Episode]

By Barrier Free Japan

May 26 2025

TOKYO – In a survey conducted in 2022 by the Japan Federation of Organizations of the Visually Impaired (Shinjuku Ward, Tokyo), 68.4% of respondents said they were “troubled” by the digitalization of government and businesses. In addition to self-checkouts, there were also many responses citing image authentication for internet banking and login operations using one-time passwords.

Toyoharu Yoshiizumi (67), head of the information department at the Japan Federation of Organizations of the Visually Impaired (and himself visually impaired), pointed out, “As digitalization progresses, we are being left behind.” He said the increase in unmanned stores is also a concern, saying, “Without store clerks, reasonable consideration cannot be given. I think it is difficult for businesses, but I would like them to improve the environment so that visually impaired people can use the facilities.”

Episode Notes:

‘“We are being left behind”: Visually Impaired People in Japan Struggle with Digitalization’:

“We are being left behind”: Visually Impaired People in Japan Struggle with Digitalization